Update: Shiprock High School got third place in the 4A State Chess Championship. Also, Newcomb High School and Career Prep High School got third place in 1A to 3A State Chess Championship. Congratulations!

For the first time, all Central Schools high schools will be present to represent the district at the NMAA State Team Chess Tournament taking place today and tomorrow in Albuquerque. A group of 29 students and staff left for the tournament earlier today, ready for the mind sport.

Dr. Joseph Chee says that the most rewarding aspect of his profession is learning from his students. Last week, the New Mexico Public Education Department distinguished his dedication and named Dr. Chee as Indian Educator of the Year during their Spring Government-to-Government Summit in Española.

Dr. Chee, a Navajo language teacher at Career Prep High School, said that receiving the award was really rewarding, especially since he feels that he isn’t just teaching, he’s sharing his life experiences with students, and learning from them.

Shiprock High School senior Melanie Secody has signed a letter of intent to play with the Northern New Mexico Eagles. Mandy Montoya, Associate Head Coach for Northern New Mexico College Women’s Basketball was joined by Secody’s mother, Melissa Atcitty, along with students and family members during a signing ceremony at the high school.

Secody says she started playing basketball when she was four years old.

“I knew I was good at basketball. It is a sport that both my parents played. It helps me with stress and I decided to keep going with it,” said Secody.

The Central Consolidated School District hosted a community conversation on computer science this week with the leadership of the Navajo Nation, Teach for America New Mexico and Cultivating Coders. The conversation, which also included Shiprock High School students and staff, provided an update on last summer’s exciting coding boot camp, as well as a discussion on economic development in New Mexico.

Last Summer

A unique opportunity became available to nine Shiprock High School students last summer: an intensive coding boot camp, conducted by Cultivating Coders, an Albuquerque-based technology company that delivers condensed web-development classes.

Kirtland Central High School was celebrating more than student excellence during last week’s 120th Day Count Assembly. The school rewarded student quality by presenting certificates, but it didn’t stop there, it also made sure their hard work was noticed beyond the classroom and celebrated by their peers. And their peers responded with loud noise.

UPDATE: Team Russell won the Skyhawk Remix Game, 37 to 34 (Team rosters below). Also, the audience voted for Hanna Begay and Kaden Nelson as their most valuable players. Great celebration!

Newcomb High School will hold a celebration game between the Newcomb Lady Skyhawks and the Newcomb Skyhawks to congratulate their basketball teams on making the state tournament. The Honorary Officials for the Skyhawk Remix Game are Ben Tensay, CCSD Athletic Director - Head Official, and Videna Silvers - Newcomb Substitute Teacher - Official. The event will include audience voting on the MVP of the Game. During halftime of the game, the state wrestling qualifiers will be honored: match 1, Jawaun Charles vs Tyler Howe, match 2, Shaundale Davis vs Sheridan Staley. Admission is free.